Turn V: Spring 2062
Map
Stats
The snow has thawed and the soil has had time to dry. If one is pondering an offensive, now is the time to launch it.
National Issues
No pressing national issues (that you aren’t aware of).
News
Aloha
The Hawaiian islands, with the loss of much of their population in the Plague (and resulting chaos due to the collapse of government and vital importation routes), have reverted to the pre-unification island state status.
The islands have become home to ambitious merchants from all over the Pacific, seeking to restore lucrative trade routes from the pre-plague era. All the same, life is harsh on the islands with the brief collapse of the global economy, and the locals are reportedly eager for rule by another power. The American population remains the dominant group on the islands, and this leaves open the opportunity for history to repeat itself.
Carolina Shifts Gears
With the inauguration of a new government after last November’s election, Carolina has officially signed a full alliance and free trade agreement with Bermuda. The governments of both states look forward to cooperation and protection of their mutual interests. (Carolina joins the Bermuda sphere)
Power Center Projected to Shift to the Midwest
With the wars in the West and Northeast, the only powers with the ability to expand into the Midwest are Duluth-Superior and the Cherokee, as they remain neutral. Analysts anticipate that the lack of competition for land in the heart of the former United States will serve to make these already-powerful states the dominant economic powers of whole nation.
Despite the tragic loss of life in the Rockies and Great Lakes conflicts, people in both countries have eaten up the perfect timing of the Winter campaigns on both sides of the Midwest expanse, as it has essentially delivered dominance to them.
Naturally, the world is watching to see what the Cherokee and Duluth-Superior do with regards to the current conflicts, but most analysts are saying it would be quite surprising if either was to shed the enormous benefits of neutrality for the questionable benefits of involvement in either war.
Iccans Make a Stand
The Iccans have gained nationwide respect for their public comments against the Mexican state, with many feeling them bold to stand up to the regional superpower. (+2 Prestige)
Eyes on the Ball
Sparta and Pacifica have both formed Basketball Leagues, each with different levels of success. (+2 and +3) The restoration of national sports competitions is making analysts feel the worst of the plague period is over.
American Cultural Organization
The American Republic has continued its rise as a diplomatic leader on the continent, with its American Cultural Organization working to foster free exchange of ideas and culture. (+5 for AR, +2 for joiners (Duluth, Georgia, Bermuda, Florida, Louisiana, Los Salvadores, Tennessee, Colorado, Washington Heirs))
The Rebirth of American Cinema
Mass cinema, one of the industries that the former United States enjoyed a dominant position in, has officially made its return. Starting with the American Federation of Syndicates hosting a film festival in Albany, numerous blockbusters have been produced around the country, with the ideological slants of many productions so prominent they can be tasted. The Syndicates have become one major distributor of films, but so has the American Republic, each one’s movies a clear product of their culture. Adding to the East-West rivalry, Pacifica’s film critic industry has become quite critical of Syndicalist productions, and in much the same way, Quebec’s own critics are clearly disgusted at libertarian productions like the American Republic’s
Arrow. (+6 for AFS, +3 for AR, +3 for Pacifica, +1 for Quebec)
Rising Star
With the outbreak of the Wars, the Cherokee look poised for greatness, but it is evident they would be going places with or without foreign discord. They have promoted a strong cultural program of their own to counter the growing influence of the AFS and AR in cinema, while their economy surges upward in production. As a final testament to Cherokee power and influence, they have openly stated that they will not allow socialist powers to usurp the Iccans, should any conflict raise the possibility, and the Cherokee are recognized as a clear power broker on both a local and national scale. (+4)
Couch Potatoes in Season
The video game industry has seen a resurgence in Sparta, the frigid wastes that make up much of Spartan territory providing ample incentive to find a way to cope with the boredom. The modern agoge can only entertain people for so long. Outsiders are grateful that at least the Spartans didn’t consider bringing back the Roman Colosseum. (+3)
Trans-American Railway
The agreement between the American Republic, Iccans, and Los Salvadores to build a modern railway network connecting their nations is quite novel in its implications for regional trade, though it is apparent that any project will need to wait until the end of the conflict in the Rockies to bear fruit. (+1)
D.C. Joins the AMF
The self-proclaimed successors of the old USA joining the organization is a huge boon to its legitimacy, even as people ponder how effective it will be in light of the fact its de facto chair is currently on fire as a result of Albertan air raids. (+1)
Paragon of Peace
The American Republic once again is the sole power to expand through entirely diplomatic means. (+5)
Rockies War
While the War is likely to bear fruit for the attackers if they crush the Republic, it has soured public opinion of the three belligerents. (-5)
The people love an underdog, and Americans of all stripes are wishing the Republic luck in defending itself. (+3)
Great Lakes Conflict
Evidence is sketchy and there are conflicting reports of who fired the first shot in what appeared to be a joint operation against the Iccans on Sable Island, but the readiness with which the anti-socialist forces swept in to Internationale territory and the sheer numbers of anti-socialist forces around Sable Island has made many skeptical that the Quebecois initiated the betrayal, as this would require their leadership be completely insane.
The anti-socialist powers are seen as dishonorable warmongers at best and treacherous at worst. (-5) An exception goes to the Iccans, who are seen as having defended themselves, even if they were crafty in doing so. (+1)
The Internationale is not receiving quite the same amount of sympathy as the American Republic, but it is receiving some nonetheless. (+2)
Central American Insurgency
Central American pirate radio has had a field day praising the old socialist regimes that used to run parts of the region, all while promoting a new brand of socialism in the form of syndicalism. The Mexican military has lost some of its grip on the countryside as newly-invigorated resistance forces make use of much more advanced weaponry than they originally possessed. Public opinion suspects the AFS and Internationale, but with no damning evidence, the Mexican government has remained silent on the subject, while the AFS has reaped the benefits of being an unconfirmed suspect. (+5)
At the same time, libertarian nationalist rebels have become a force to be reckoned with, actively opposing the government in other areas and fighting to restore the freedom of Central America’s peoples from Guatemala City and by proxy Mexico City. Rebel propaganda suggests that former soldiers are joining the rebels en masse, but intercepted transmissions in English would indicate that they came from north of the Rio Grande. Given the range of libertarian-leaning regimes in the North, it is harder to know for sure who is supporting them. (+5)
Caribbean Insurgency
The Cuban and Puerto Rican insurgencies have gained some steam, hinting at foreign support, but their lack of a cohesive ideology means it is impossible to know exactly who is supporting them. (+2)
Changing Economy
Economic experts note that with the restoration of order to much of the United States, trade is rapidly expanding, limited only by a recovering population. States which do not neglect their communications networks are sure to benefit.
(Infrastructure levels relative to other states will continue to grow in importance as time goes on)
